Lightning Hire Eric Blankenship as Vice President of Marketing

Lightning Hire Eric Blankenship as Vice President of MarketingThe Lightning have named Eric Blankenship to the position of vice president of marketing

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have named Eric Blankenship to the position of vice president of marketing, the team announced today. Blankenship, who joins the Lightning organization from Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc., will have multiple duties with the team including overseeing all marketing efforts for both the Lightning and Storm. He will also manage creative services and branding, digital and social media, grass roots and traditional marketing, and will work closely with the ticket sales team on single game and group sales efforts.

Blankenship has accumulated more than 17 years of marketing and sales experience in the sports, facility and entertainment industry. He joined Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. in September 2011 and his impact was felt immediately. The 2011-12 season became the single best ticket sales season in its 29-year history. The 2013-14 season, featuring the new Capitol Theatre, eclipsed both previous seasons to become the single best ticket sales seasons in the history of the organization. Blankenship oversaw departments that accounted for nearly 80% of the company's total revenue

The Tampa, FL native started his career with the Lightning organization, beginning with an internship in marketing and operations with the team. That internship led to his first full time job in the industry as Marketing Coordinator. After two years in that position, Blankenship was promoted to Marketing Manager. During his time as marketing manager, he coordinated all marketing, advertising, promotions and public relations efforts for a variety of events that came to the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Blankenship also held marketing positions for Comcast-Spectacor in Philadelphia, PA, Portland's Rose Quarter and the Philadelphia 76ers. He was responsible for branding, advertising, media buying, promotions, new media, game presentation and live events as the vice president of marketing for the 76ers.